Still haven’t something for that geek in your life ladies? His geekiness have more computers than they know what to do with? So how about a phone? Not any phone though but a Skype, landline, 3 way conference device. Less than $200 at various retailers.

Detailed review.

An article in Ars Technica has confirmed that Verizon Wireless will go LTE in its 4g plans. Not an unexpected turn of events. It gives Verizon Wireless and Vodaphone, a part owner, to come to common ground on technology development. From the article –

Verizon Wireless has decided to throw its lot in with 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) as the wireless carrier eyes an eventual deployment of and transition to 4G. LTE is potentially capable of 100Mbps downloads, 50Mbps uploads, and latencies of as little as 5ms (for small IP packets) for each 20MHz of spectrum available. LTE can handle up to 200 simultaneous users per 5MHz slice of spectrum.

Linky.

Boss and I get into a discussion over the Fommer article. Though the article has basis in fact. [Go look at Verizon’s data plan pricing…] But my contention has always been there are more eyes on how to beat a system than there are system builders there to prevent it. Its always a labor cost equation. The builders always do it on a bid ‘cheap as’ basis. While the folks defeating the system generally do it either because they think they can or they want to put one over on The Man. But they do so almost labor free, as like in their own time.

But of course you know there are times for exceptions right? –

Innovative Communications Technologies has developed an integrated voice and data platform that connects any broadband mobile devices or personal computers at no per minute charges.

Code named the “Cannes Project,” this ICT Product Development Group’s project will allow users to send voice and data from any broadband device anywhere in the world. This can be done without using cellular plan minutes and does not require a cellular carrier wherever Wi-Fi/WiMAX is present. The company informs that connection to non-broadband mobile devices and landlines are projected to be at a 60 percent reduced cost over present mobile,VoIP and telecom carriers.

Innovative Communications Technologies have plans to roll out different non-browser based applications to support Nokia (News - Alert), Samsung, Motorola, T-Mobile and other brand name broadband devices in phases. This will be done according to their market share and popularity. ICT’s broadband product will utilize a phased development plan to connect the 424 million industry predicted broadband wireless devices to be sold over the next 36 months. This includes the over 246 millionSkype ( News - Alert) users and the millions of present broadband VoIP customers throughout the world.

I haven’t figured out yet the technology of how they pull this off. But if it’s not pie in the sky, this is the equivalent of an ‘Oceans 11′ moment for the carriers.

Linky.

Russia. It what has to be a pretty big gamble a consortium of providers will build a WiFi network envisioned to span 15 time zones. Details as to when contracts will be let are sketchy. But here is what is known –

5 communication operators have claimed to launch WLAN-roaming into commercial exploitation. Wi-Fi roaming of the operators Comstar-UTS, Interregional TranzitTelekom, PeterStar, Prostor Telecom and the universal service provider Tango Telecom will be available in 17 cities of Russia.

Wi-Fi roaming will resemble automatic roaming in GSM networks: to sign in a subscriber will have to use the login and password received from ‘home’ operators. It will be possible to connect to the network in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Nizhny Novgorod, Krasnoyarsk, Sochi, in general, in 17 cities covered by Wi-Fi networks of the project participants.

The payments for roaming between the operators will be made depending on the time spent by the ‘guest’ subscriber in the network, Comstar-UTS told CNews. The given time is multiplied by the tariff indicated in the roaming contract. The ‘home’ operator transfers the payment to MTT, while MTT transfers the payment to the ‘guest’ operator net of its commission.

Comstar-UTS and Tango Telecom are launching bilateral roaming within the project, i.e. the given companies’ subscribers are able to use the access parameters received from their operator both in the ‘home’ and ‘guest’ networks. Wi-Fi network aggregator is MTT. The company provides the internet traffic exchange and collects the tariffs to carry out the payments between the operators and coordinate the cooperation between the operators.

Hope they pull it off. Just keep you ‘roof’ happy guys.

Linky.

If Google does indeed bid on and win 700MHz spectrum, it will truly be a shot heard around the world, and could be the manifestation of a new American revolution. If it happens it will be the outward and very public manifestation of a shadow war that is already in progress. The battle is between an elite class of monopolists who constrain the supply of a network commodity to perpetuate fee for service vs an open bazaar for services that want to be free or nearly free. Traditionally, the network and services were separate businesses, but services are now a feature of the network, and in terms of how they are used, the dividing lines have vanished:

The industries were separated at birth in 1956 by a consent decree that banned AT&T (T) from offering information services. Though the present form of both industries can be traced back to the invention of the transistor, in 1946, their development over the years offers a case study in nature vs. nurture. The interventions against IBM’s pursuit of a monopoly, for example, proved to be far more vigorous and successful than those leveled against AT&T.Although the two industries operate under the same laws of physics, different levels of competition produced entirely different results. A telephone call between neighbors offers the same quality and experience today as it did 1956, whereas nothing about the infotech industry in 1956 survived 10 years, much less 50. The policies pursued to avoid monopoly in the cell phone business prove the ability of telecom companies to innovate when they have no other choice (although these days it’s the competitive handset industry doing most of the innovating, as Verizon Wireless recently admitted).(from Gigaom)

Will the government allow to war to go forward, or will they play UN and protect brutal dictatorships in the name of preserving the peace? If the war proceeds the spoils will go to the consumer.

EMI, the record company is acquired by a private investment group. The group wants to maximize shareholder value. Many ways to do that. Increase sales, maximize return buys, minimize costs. For the MBA mavens cost containment is always an low hanging fruit. Generally its the secretary or janitor that gets the axe. But this time –

British music industry major EMI wants to cut its funding to the industry’s trade bodies, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters on Wednesday, which could deal a blow to the fight against music piracy.

The source said EMI, which was recently taken over by private equity group Terra Firma, was looking at ways to “substantially” reduce the amount it pays trade groups.

The groups, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and other national associations, represent music companies and the fight against illegal piracy.

That’s right, its the blood sucking lawyers turn. EMI is one of the big 4 funders of the two groups above. Following the trickle down, should EMI cut back that means there will be fewer $$ for the lawyers to chase those nasty downloaders.

Look the public has been on to the record industry for years. Your quality has dropped drastically. The average $25 CD has at best 5 songs out of 20 that are worth the money. The balance being filler. You turn the producers of your product into serfs using one way legal contracts. Your industry refuses to adopt to the new digital world. Then to put insult to injury, you have your henchmen running around suing the customer base. Finally having the gall to wonder why business is so bad.

That it took a private investment group to force EMI to see the light is all well and good. I hope EMI goes forward with reducing its participation. We as consumers should act in kind. Support the artists you like with purchases, online, that are offered at a fair price. If we do everyone can win.

Linky.

All of the celebration over Verizon’s open wireless network announcement yesterday may have been for not.
So soon we forget that Verizon Wireless is the the first entity to define the limits of unlimited in their terms of service. It could be that the devil is always in the details with these guys. Draw your own conclusions:

Silicon Alley Insider’s Dan Frommer was one of only a few writers who seemed to get what this announcement was really about — the injection of a per-byte billing model into consumer consciousness:

Some people think this will open the door to devices running new services, like free Internet phone service or video calling. But Verizon (VZ) has no intention of turning itself into dumb pipe. You can expect service plans for non-Verizon phones to include data-network fees based on usage — meaning those “free” calls could cost a bundle. (from Broadband Reports)

I looks like Canadians will soon be getting a break on their wireless bills and maybe be getting more from their carrier to boot. Could it be a new trend in the rest of the free world? The UK’s Oftel recently announced intent to repossess some spectrum to offer to new competitors.

The Conservative government on Wednesday paved the way for new cellphone companies by announcing new rules for an auction of radio airwaves designed to spur competition in the wireless industry.

About 40 per cent of the spectrum will be reserved for new entrants, with the remainder open to all bidders, including Canada’s big three providers — Rogers, Bell and Telus. (from CBC News)

Yes, I’ve emailed a link to the article to FCC chair Martin. We could learn much from our brothers to the north and across the pond. Class is in session!

Folks, this is what ‘could be’ but until we see the particualars of what the Duopoly proposes. So lets be cognizant but cool about this. We’ll bark when we see what actually going down. So first let me describe the technology and the why of the carrier motivation.

Femtocell is a cute euphemism for essentially a cellular microtower. As planned these devices would have a form factor similar to a WiFi router and would be deployed in your home or office. They are also deployed about the same. You power it up, plug it in to the broadband network and register it with your wire line carrier. Now the unit itself has about a 100′ range dependent on the house/office construction, other units, topography, etc. For the deployment you get excellent cell coverage. Most designs can handle up to 4-5 simultaneous cell conservations. But the key point here is any cellular connection will go over your broadband connection.

Now why would the carriers want you to deploy this Femtocell? Its simple — cost. It take money to deploy a cell tower. They sometimes skimp or local conditions are not as envisioned. In any event the coverage is missed in some areas. Well rather then deploy another large cell in comes a bunch of Femtocells to provide that small area. Especially if you can get your customers to buy into the scheme and be your ‘partner’.

Ok now that we have an understanding of the technology and motivation let us parse this out.

Pros:

• If you have poor cell coverage in your home or office because you are on the ‘edge’ you my perceive a great deal of benefit.
• If the carriers are upfront about the back haul arrangement over your internet connection well then ok.
• Deploying these Femtocells could actually save the users base money. By agreeing the carriers do not have to invest in more capital. So long as the carriers are fair to both the customer base and the shareholders everyone could benefit.

Cons:

• This is the tricky part. What if the carrier does not tell you they are borrowing your broadband connection? They offer you a come on price for the unit then bury right to use legalese in your contract giving you no recourse. Then what?
• Haven’t been able to discern it but unless the system has a way to throttle you may find your broadband connection totally sucked up by your next door neighbors teen age daughter downloading Verizon cell videos.
• If I were a cell user on a femtocell how do I know that my cell traffic cannot be intercepted and used in some nefarious way? The average user may not know how. But their 13yo pimply faced son might.
• Patriot Act and RIAA. By installing the femtocell and PROVIDED it or you have installed a NAT to share an IP address all the traffic cell or otherwise is masked with YOUR IP address. So if the next door neighbors daughter is using a smart cell phone to download songs it will mark you as the downloader in the RIAA’s eyes. Or if someone of nefarious intent discovers and uses your cell it would be quite possible you might end up on the FBI’s FISA list thru no fault of your own.
• Essentially you are not being compensated for use of your broadband connection by the carrier.

This being a good deal depends on technology and honesty. One avenue that might absolve would be the cell using 2 IP’s so the traffic is segregated. The second is disclosure. The deployee should be coached that they are becoming a partner in the carriers network. If the security concerns are sufficient and the need for better coverage is critical to the customer then ok. But if games are bieng played and disclosure is not forthcoming I would pass.

We will keep you apprised as we learn more.

Background article.

[Update:] Actually a thought experiment. I wonder if the carriers have thought this thru? You are going to put carrier-like hardware into the hands of hackers. I would not be too far fetched for the likes of the DD-WRT guys to tear into one of these things, do a software rewrite and turn the darn thing into a private cell-to-landline gateway which is tapped into Skype. You roam at home using nary a bit of your minutes with an unlocked phone. Only when you leave your ‘cell’ do you hop onto the carrier’s network. Has to be a catch I am sure but it sure seems feasible.

So much was said about traffic shaping and using packet forgery to block P2P by Comcast and others in months passed. Nothing has been do to stop the practice, and the story has faded as old news in the tech media.

It was recently discovered that Comcast was using forged TCP/IP packets to throttle upstream p2p bandwidth. While the Associated Press got credit for the discovery, it was actually one of our forum users that first uncovered the practice. In fact, site user Robb Topolski had already discovered how to thwart the systemdoing something similar. (from Broadband Reports)

You can help keep the net free of forged packed to “manage traffic” by helping keep watch on your ISP. The EFF can help. They have a published a guide for using Wireshark to test for ISP tomfoolery.